The M16 is a military designation for a standard of rifles developed by a certain company. This company is known as ArmaLite. The M16 was taken from this family of companies and was further developed by a company called Colt, turning the M16 prototype into the rifle we all know and love today. The M16, as mentioned, is an assault rifle known for firing 5.56 mm ammunition. The M16 airsoft gun, on the other hand, obviously only fires pellets out of its replica barrel. The real M16 rifle has been the primary weapon of soldiers in the United States since 1967. The M16 airsoft gun has not.

Using the M16 airsoft gun delivers that “real soldier” feel to the user, delivering all of the power and kick of a real M16 in a safer form with pellets or other pieces of harmless ammunition in the chamber. The real M16 is a lightweight, gas-powered, air-cooled, magazine-fed, steel composite rifle. The M16 airsoft gun comes from the same materials and functions with the same ability with a few minor differences. The M16 airsoft version can be gas-powered or electric-powered and can be, if preferred, also spring loaded. This helps the ammunition get more velocity upon firing.

A Word Of Caution

One problem with replica guns is the fact that they look so much like their real counterparts. This has created a sense of urgency within the National Rifle Association and other responsible organizations to properly and effectively communicate the true nature of these guns to the public. In order to prevent confusion, several public service announcements have hit the airwaves and educated the public about the subtle but obvious differences between real M16s and the M16 airsoft gun.